Paramount officially filed its lawsuit against the executor of the Puzo estate, Mario Puzo’s son Anthony. The studio said it holds the copyright to “The Godfather” and that while it gave the go-ahead to the 2004 book “The Godfather Returns” by Mark Winegardner, it did not authorize another book by Winegardner published in 2006 titled “The Godfather’s Revenge.”

“The studio has tremendous respect and admiration for Mario Puzo, whose novel 'The Godfather' was acquired in 1969 and helped spawn one of the most celebrated film trilogies of all time," a Paramount spokesperson said in an interview with TheWrap. “We have an obligation to and will protect our copyright and trademark interests.”

Paramount said that when “The Godfather’s Revenge” was promoted, it was implied the studio had authorized the book, which was untrue. The studio wants damages from “Revenge” and to block the publication of “The Family Corleone.”